The presentation of the Air Demonstration Squadron (EDA) over Rio de Janeiro marked the return of the use of colored smoke and the demonstration of an unprecedented maneuver. Days later, the unit, popularly known as the Esquadrilha da Fumaça, published incredible images of the flight on Copacabana Beach.
The 50-second video features the song These Days, by the American band Foo Fighters. The video was shared by EDA on its Instagram profile and by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) on Twitter, and shows the team performing a new maneuver in the skies over Rio de Janeiro on September 7th.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CidIJXkJwGo/
The maneuver consists of six A-29 Super Tucano flying in Espelhão formation (three planes in normal flight, with another three in reverse flight). Close behind, closing in on eight aircraft, two more A-29s flew around the smoke trail.
The number of planes is also unusual, as the Squadron has seven aircraft.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CiOdBUFA0m0/
And speaking of smoke, the presentation in Rio de Janeiro marked the first complete demonstration of the Esquadrilha using colored smoke on the A-29 turboprops. The aircraft 'poured' the smoke in green, yellow and blue, along with the traditional white. It was also the first time that planes changed the colors of smoke in flight, going from white to color.
Hours earlier, the EDA had opened the civic-military parade in Brasilia, celebrating the bicentennial of the Independence of Brazil. The team made ages over the Federal Capital, but not a complete presentation like the one held in Rio de Janeiro.
According to Captain André Bezerra, No. 6 of the Esquadrilha, the new maneuver does not yet have an official name, but is nicknamed 'DNAzão', due to its similarity with the DNA acrobatics, performed with three planes.
Bezerra also told AEROFLAP that the acrobatics was extensively trained at the Academia da Força Aérea, headquarters of the EDA, before being demonstrated in the 'Cidade Maravilhosa'. The maneuver is now part of the demo team's pool of capabilities.
But although beautiful, it will rarely be seen. Like colored smoke, the eight-plane maneuver has a larger logistical footprint. In the case of smoke, the specific material is imported, that is, it is more expensive.
It is also necessary that the planes receive a special polish before the demonstration so that the product does not leave stains on the fuselage. A similar problem already happened with the old T-27 Tucano. Bezerra says that the use of colored smoke also requires washing oil tanks and transporting more troops, again increasing the logistical needs of demonstrations.
In conclusion, Captain Bezerra points out that DNAzão and the return of colored smoke will only be demonstrated on very special occasions, as occurred on the last Sete de Setembro.
